SEARCH FOR HYPERDEFORMATION IN GD-146,GD-147

A search was undertaken to look for evidence of hyperdeformation in Gd -146,Gd-147. Three experiments employing Gammasphere for gamma-ray det ection coupled with the Microball for channel selection via charged pa rticle detection were carried out with increasing detection sensitivit y and statistics. No definitive evidence for band structures that coul d be assigned to hyperdeformation could be found. Candidates previousl y reported are shown not to have properties consistent with a band str ucture.